A member raised the question of whether or not to try using cannabis as a general cure-all. The article below is one of the better ones I referenced. Please remember that these medical articles are one or a few people’s points of view, and that one’s medical practitioner should be consulted about any changes you make.
What to know about the health benefits of cannabis.
Medicinal benefits
Many people use cannabis and cannabis products as a treatment for chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, and mental health conditions. However, research has identified both benefits and risks to using cannabis as a medicinal treatment.
The medical benefits of cannabis most commonly come from cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). These are two compounds found in Cannabis sativa plants. Looking at the USA, in states where it is legal, medical professionals may prescribe dried cannabis, oils, tablets, and other products containing CBD and THC to treat a range of conditions. These are broadly referred to as “medicinal cannabis.”
The effects of these treatments are well-studied and typically well-tolerated for their intended use. However, using cannabis products outside of their prescribed use or using cannabis from unlicensed distributors can carry great risk. In this article, we look at the scientific evidence weighing the medical benefits of cannabis against its associated health risks.
What are the medical benefits of cannabis?
Over the years, research has yielded results to suggest that cannabis may be beneficial in the treatment of some conditions. These are listed below.
Chronic pain
A 2024 systematic review looked at the results of 99 clinical trials that compared cannabis with opioids for managing chronic non-cancer pain. The researchers concluded that cannabis and opioids are similarly effective at treating pain, but cannabis may result in fewer people discontinuing their treatment than with opioids. Medicinal cannabis may be of particular use in neuropathic (nerve) pain.
Alcoholism and drug addiction
Some people use CBD oil to reduce or replace their intake of prescription pain medications. Cannabis may also help people with alcohol or opioid dependencies treat their addictions.
A 2022 Canadian study also found a distinct correlation between medicinal cannabis use and a reduction in alcohol use.
While cannabis may help some people reduce opioid and alcohol use, taking cannabis excessively or not as prescribed can lead to a cannabis use disorder.
Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety
Authors of a 2017 review found some evidence supporting the use of cannabis to relieve depression and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.
However, researchers cautioned that cannabis is not an appropriate treatment for some other mental health conditions, such as bipolar
disorder and psychosis.
While research into the efficacy of medicinal cannabis as a treatment for psychiatric disorders is promising, it is still in its early stages of research. Further research is required to fully assess the role of medicinal cannabis in treating mental health conditions.
Cancer
Some evidence suggests that oral cannabinoids are effective against nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, and some small studies have found that smoked cannabis may also help alleviate these symptoms.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) advises talking with a doctor before taking cannabis to alleviate cancer side effects.
Multiple sclerosis
The short-term use of oral cannabinoids may improve symptoms of spasticity among people with multiple sclerosis, but the positive effects are modest.
Epilepsy
In June 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the of a medication containing CBD to treat two rare, severe, and specific types
of epilepsy — Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome — that are difficult to control with other types of medication. This CBD-based drug is known as Epidiolex. (copy link for further information)
Health risks of taking cannabis
While medicinal cannabis may aid in the treatment of several health conditions, it is not without its risks.
Mental health problems
Cannabis use is likely to increase the risk of short-term psychosis and long-term mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia.
Testicular cancer
Research suggests a causal link between long-term cannabis use and an increased risk of testicular cancer.
Respiratory disease
Smoking cannabis can cause scarring in the respiratory system, damage blood vessels in the lungs, and lead to bronchitis.
However, medicinal CBD products that a person does not inhale via combustion, such as oral CBD oils, do not carry the same risks.
Is cannabis good or bad for your health?
There is evidence that demonstrates both the harms and health benefits of cannabis. Yet despite increasing studies in the area, more research is necessary to determine the health implications of using cannabis.
Many scientists and health organisations — including the American Cancer Society (ACS) — support the need for further scientific research on the use of cannabis and cannabinoids to treat medical conditions.
However, there is an obstacle to this: Cannabis is classed as a Schedule I controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration, which imposes strict conditions on researchers working in this area.
Summary
Research shows that cannabis and cannabinoids can help manage chronic pain, nausea, and some MS symptoms.
However, it is difficult to assess the safety of cannabis as a whole due to the wide range of forms it comes in and the varying chemical compositions of different strains.
For example, prescription CBD oils may be well tolerated when taken orally, whereas inhaled dried cannabis can cause irreparable lung damage.
It is essential to only ever take cannabis or cannabinoid-containing products or medications as directed by a healthcare professional.
Original article: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320984
Medically reviewed by Dominique Fontaine, BSN, RN, HNB-BC, HWNC-BC — Written by Tom Rush